International Aerial Photographer of the Year: Azim Khan Ronnie of Bangladesh has taken the top prize for his stunning portfolio. For a few months of the year, a large number of Siberian seagulls migrate to various parts of India. One of them is Yamuna Ghat in Delhi. (Azim Khan Ronnie / IAPOTY via SWNS)
By Dean Murray
From urban crossings to agricultural landscapes, the winners of the second annual International Aerial Photographer of the Year competition have been announced.
From more than 1,500 entries from across the world, Azim Khan Ronnie of Bangladesh has taken the top prize for his stunning portfolio.
Hindu devotees gather in Dhaka for Rakher Upobash, fasting and praying with incense and oil lamps to honour Baba Lokenath. (Azim Khan Ronnie / IAPOTY via SWNS)
Ronnie, a professional photographer currently living in France, entered images that included the interaction of people and birds on the water at Yamuna Ghat in Delhi, and the vibrant geometry of red chili peppers drying in Bogura, Bangladesh.
Ronnie said: "I visited these locations while working on documentary and travel photography projects, and I chose them because I saw the potential to transform everyday scenes into compelling visual narratives."
An aerial view of a rowing team gliding through the pristine waters of Lake Zurich in Switzerland. (Azim Khan Ronnie / IAPOTY via SWNS)
Other entries in the contest included aerial scenes captured by second-place winner Chin Leong Teo of Singapore.
His work ranges from the green rice terraces of Bali to a lone person crossing a traffic junction in central Tokyo.
Bali’s rice terraces cascade down the hillsides in vivid green steps, shaped by centuries of careful irrigation. (Chin Leong Teo / IAPOTY via SWNS)
Peter Eastway, awards chairman, said: "Over a decade ago, we started seeing amazing aerial images in photographic competitions.
"They were usually entered into the landscape category as this is what most of them were, but more importantly," Eastway said.
Birdie is sitting on the water of a tiny, crystal clear lake with reflection of the sky and surrounded by red grass, somewhere in Dongtai. (Vitaly Golovatyuk / IAPOTY via SWNS)
"They weren't just interesting views from a high vantage point, they explored and described wonderful patterns, shapes and compositions that couldn't be seen from the ground, Eastway said.
"The aerials were very popular with the judges and many of us expected their 'surprise value' would diminish over time. But we were wrong."
Australia. Salt Works Walvis Bay, Namibia. (Barbara Brown / IAPOTY via SWNS)
"And that's why you're about to enjoy our second year of the International Aerial Photographer of the Year award."
See all the winners and more photos here.
The sharp, steep, and layered hills in the Badlands of Utah. (A.J. Rich / IAPOTY via SWNS)